France has defended its record on combating antisemitism after Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu accused Emmanuel Macron of emboldening hate attacks against Jews by pledging to recognise a Palestinian state.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had criticised French President Emmanuel Macron's pledge to recognise a Palestinian state. View on euronews

After the Israeli prime minister condemned Macron's plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, claiming it 'encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking [France's] streets,' the Elysée Palace responded by insisting that it 'protects and will always protect its Jewish citizens.